Blog

True Rest

March 28, 2025

Growing up, I would often hear and be taught to repeat the mantra/quote:

“Good. Better. Best.  Let’s never rest until our good is better and our better is best!”

I get the sentiment being expressed, but as I prepare to complete 50 years of a blessed life and 25 years in the educational arena, I have come to see a danger in it.

Never resting.  Always striving for better or best.

It can become a destructive tidal wave crashing against frail psyches.

Next week, we will take a break and prepare for the final 7-week gauntlet of the semester.  I pray that everyone will be able to rest.

Rest is important. But “not working” doesn’t always mean resting.

For many, true rest is elusive for many reasons. I hope you will each be able to find time to truly rest over the break.

Rest is God-given.

Given to us in the very first glimpse of our holy God in Genesis 2:2-3:

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

This example was given to us by a gracious and all-knowing God who knew that His creation would require times of rest.  He didn’t.  We do.

Another favorite verse of mine is Proverbs 25:16:

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

A reminder that even the good things that God has given us can become problematic if we overindulge.

While resting is good for us, if it becomes an obsession, it can bring harm.

I’ll leave you with the challenge I gave my Bible class today:

Take a break.  Rest.  Enjoy the blessings in your life.

But remember, true rest will only come by walking with the Lord.

Don’t take a week off of a relationship with Him. Instead, use some of the extra time you have been given to grow closer to Him, learn more of His word, and deepen your trust in Him.

In this way, we tithe our first fruits and honor Him. 

Go to Him and He will give you rest for your souls.

Mr. David McClain, Head of School at FCS, shares insights relating to Christian education, biblical worldview, building Christian character, and current events. Read the Weekly Words archives here.